Police officer cleared of excessive force charge
The safety-service director said he plans to review the case soon.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A police officer who kicked down the door of a man wanted on a DUI charge has been cleared of using excessive force by the department's internal affairs division.
Greg Hicks, city law director, said the internal affairs decision on Sgt. Martin Gargas' case was made after police conferred with his department.
He noted that the case is still pending.
"The safety-service director has to review the report, and if he is satisfied, then it will be finished," Hicks said. "However, from our investigation, we determined that Sgt. Gargas did not violate the man's constitutional rights."
Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin said he is waiting to get a copy of the case from Police Chief John Mandopoulos.
"As soon as I get it, I will review it," Franklin said.
Teandre DeMarco filed a complaint with police earlier this month. He claimed that excessive force was used when he was arrested.
According to the arrest report, Gargas stopped a vehicle that DeMarco was in for a traffic violation around 2 a.m. March 4.
Warren Municipal Court records show DeMarco has been charged with driving under suspension, DUI, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.
Gargas said he stopped DeMarco because he went left of center and failed to stop at a stop sign.
Video
A videotape taken from a camera mounted on Gargas' cruiser shows DeMarco got out of the driver's side door when he pulled into his driveway.
On the tape, shortly after the traffic stop, DeMarco went into the house and shut the door, despite orders from Gargas to stop.
Seconds after the door shut, Gargas can been seen on the tape breaking down the door. Once inside the house, Gargas can no longer be seen on the tape.
Several minutes later, other officers arrived and Gargas can been seen escorting a limping DeMarco from the house.
DeMarco was taken to the hospital and given a knee brace.
sinkovich@vindy.com